LOS ANGELES >> When he graduated from UCLA last spring, quarterback Mike Fafaul had options as a graduate transfer. Yet he stayed in Westwood, understanding what his role behind Josh Rosen would be and the redshirt senior has embraced it fully.

“I’ve just been trying to take the mindset every day of doing whatever I can for the team,” Fafaul said Monday after UCLA’s practice on campus. “It’s more a self-less role. You’re out of the limelight most of the time, but I’ve tried to embrace that and work as hard as I can.”

Fafaul said this is the most comfortable he’s ever been while at UCLA. He put in work during the offseason with the receivers to develop chemistry and sat down with quarterbacks coach Marques Tuiasosopo to learn the new playbook.

The Cockeysville, Md., native struggled with inconsistency in previous years, but the new offense and a new positions coach have helped him take his game to a new level.

“Tui rides us out there,” Fafaul said. “He makes sure we’re perfect in everything we do. He’s been a big part of my success, I think. He’s been able to help me really bring it every day.”

Also pushing Fafaul is a pair of talented true freshmen in Devon Modster and Matt Lynch. All three quarterbacks are still officially vying for the backup spot, although it was Fafaul who seemed to lead the pack during fall camp by taking most of the second-team reps.

“There’s someone behind him that’s nipping at his heels and I think any time there’s competition it helps,” head coach Jim Mora said of Fafaul during training camp. “Mike seems more settled, more confident, more comfortable, more relaxed and better.”

Modster just came to campus a few weeks ago. He was immediately thrown into the fire during the first practice, leading the third-team offense. He had flashes of brilliance, completing impressive throws to freshman tight end Jordan Wilson and freshman receiver Theo Howard. Receiver Eldridge Massington compared Modster to Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, noting the freshman’s poise.

Modster, a four-star recruit, enlisted his upperclassman quarterbacks for guidance on the playbook. This is the first time Modster has ever been under center, he said, after running primarily spread offenses in high school. Although there is competition among the quarterbacks, Modster said the group remains “a family.”

Fafaul is the elder statesman of the group. He sits back and watches as Rosen evolves into a leader as just a sophomore, Fafaul said. In whatever way possible, Fafaul wants to help the Bruins win because that’s why he came to Westwood and that’s why he stayed.

“I just wanted to finish what I started,” Fafaul said. “I’ve never liked quitting.”

Thuc Nhi Nguyen has covered UCLA football for the Southern California News Group since 2016. A proud Seattle native, she majored in journalism and mathematics at the University of Washington. She likes graphs, animated GIFs and superheroes.

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